Minister Ramsay pitches in to stock Atlantic salmon

OFAH FILE: 842/420S
October 26, 2006

For Immediate Release

Minister Ramsay pitches in to stock Atlantic salmon
Fish stocking event provides excellent video and photo opportunity

Tomorrow, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay will get knee-deep in a history-making conservation project as he personally assists the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority in stocking about 12,000 Atlantic salmon in Duffins Creek, near Ajax.

“It’s been over a century since Atlantic salmon flourished in Lake Ontario but thanks to the support and research of the M.N.R., ongoing stream stewardship efforts of groups such as the TRCA and the overwhelming support from O.F.A.H. sponsors and volunteers, Ontario can welcome back this lost ecological treasure,” said Dr. Terry Quinney, O.F.A.H. Provincial Manager of Fish and Wildlife Services.

Dr. Quinney said, “Minister Ramsay’s involvement in helping volunteers and O.F.A.H. partners bring back Atlantic salmon demonstrates that the Ontario Government is truly committed to another important species restoration project and we appreciate his personal show of support.”

The Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program was launched this past spring, and following the fall stocking projects, about 350,000 Atlantic salmon have already been restored to the Credit River, Cobourg Brook and Duffins Creek. A fisheries restoration project of this magnitude – including habitat restoration, education, monitoring and stocking – will bring far reaching benefits to Ontario. As a grassroots endeavor, the project has received world wide attention as well as support from Banrock Station, an Australian wine company.

The Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program is led by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and its conservation partners, including Banrock Station Wines, LCBO, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association. Other project partners include Trout Unlimited Canada, Fishing Forever Foundation, Trees Ontario, WFN: World Fishing Network, local Conservation Authorities, Ontario Wildlife Foundation, Canadian Wildlife Federation and Fleming College.

For more information, visit www.bringbackthesalmon.ca

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